Where Do You Volunteer?
I’m curious to find out where our readers volunteer. Where do YOU volunteer?
Volunteering produces a lot of positive outcomes for you, and for the organizations where we give our time and talents. Here are some important potential outcomes from volunteering:
- you can pick up new skills and/or experiences to use on your resume
- you can utilize a new skill in an organization that needs what you have just learned in school, on the job, or in the organization itself
- organizations can achieve their mission through your gift of time, energy and talent
- you can achieve wholeness in your life (volunteering provides an outlet that you may not have in other areas)
- it fun!
Let’s compile a list of some of the places our readers volunteer. Let us know where YOU volunteer (and what you are getting out of it).
I volunteer for the Boy Scouts of America. I might not agree with much of what the national organization has to say, but on the unit level everyone’s great. When I grew up, the only support my unit ever had was the parents … who were parents. We had one or two extra volunteers come in later and they had so much more to teach us; it was great! I got so much out of the program I thought I should give back a little.
Comment by Eric Mann — November 29, 2007 @ 8:44 am
I volunteer at my daughter’s school and for my synagogue. At school, I catalog new Hebrew language books and add them to the library collection. I also sit on the Marketing Committee for the school and the adjoining Community Center. At synagogue, I am a Board member; I edit the newsletter and produce all advertising and marketing materials for events and fundraising efforts, and I help to organize some of the events. I volunteer for other non-profit groups as well, on an ad hoc basis.
Comment by Peggy Dorf — November 29, 2007 @ 9:13 am
As a Registered Nurse, I volunteer at the Free Clinic of SW Washington every month. During the holidays I am participating in the Walk & Knock food drive and I am ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. The experience of helping others is invaluable. Knowing that what I do makes a difference in someone’s life is what it is all about.
Comment by Janet Minton — November 29, 2007 @ 9:44 am
Although I haven’t participated recently, I’m on the Speaker’s Bureau for Oregon Food Bank….they do an amazing job of distributing food to the agencies that feed the hungry and an integral part of their success is due to volunteers. At ComedySportz, we volunteer as a team packaging food several times a year. I also am a member of Nob Hill Business Assn and have recently been elected to the Board. I have a vision of uniting our business community and this is my way of beginning that effort. I was on the planning committee for the 1st annual Fall Fest in September which was a success. I’m meeting wonderful people and thoroughly enjoy making a contributiion.
Comment by Karen Karr — November 29, 2007 @ 10:00 am
I am a hospice volunteer. As such, I act as a companion, give care givers time to themselves, or drive clients to doctor appointments. It is an incredibly rewarding experience. There is a balance that given to my life.
Comment by Diane E Pallas — November 29, 2007 @ 10:42 am
I’ve been volunteering for 3 years at Western Farm Workers Association in Hillsboro. We are a self-help membership association working to improve working and living conditions for farm workers and other low income workers in the service industries, child care, janitorial, construction, landscaping, fast food and others. One of the membership benefits is donated food, and while I’ve been unemployed, I’ve been able to stretch my budget by bringing some food home. This is the very tangible benefit, but not the only one. I’ve made new friends, become more knowledgable about local and national issues, and learned some Spanish, too!
Comment by Jane Zilk — November 29, 2007 @ 1:10 pm
I volunteer and participate in several different organizations. I have set different goals and have different expectations for each of the organizations I work with. Dr. Sean Harry holds a monthly seminar which helps you to identify which groups are benefiting you and your goals. I strongly recommend it to those that have not attended. As a board member for my sons school, I wanted to take an active part in the decision making process for my childs education and help to ensure the success of the organization. I do not focus on business for this organization rather I try to expand my friendship building. For the Portland Opera, I serve on several committees and am a part of the Opera Guild. This is a powerful networking business tool for me. You have to be genuine in finding an organization that you like and you will find others that will help your business grow. Staying a part of that organization will be easier because you really enjoy the activities.
Comment by Todd Hinchliffe — November 29, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
Being a volunteer has always been a major part of my life. The reason I moved to Rural Oregon is that the weather is so friendly, and that such a high percentage of citizens volunteer and contribute a high percentage of their time and fortune. I regularly volunteer for the following organizations, taking up about 100 hours per month:
Special Olympics, Oregon Workforce Investment Board, Elkton community education Center, Umpqua Community Action Network, Douglas High School, Roseburg Chamber of Commerce, The Oregon Workforce Alliance, the State Rehab Council, and the Umpqua Valley Arts Center.
Comment by Bob Craft — November 29, 2007 @ 3:03 pm
Right now I am doing most of my volunteering through the professional associations I belong to. The main one is ASTD-Cascadia where I am the VP Outreach. I also admin BlogCascadia and am a co-host of Podcascadia. I’m also active with the Society of Intercultural Education Training and Research, and recently helped them launch a blog. This gives me an opportunity to use my professional skills to help others. I’ve been known to help out with a wide variety of things. Volunteering is an important part of how I live my life, it’s just part of what I do and who I am.
Comment by Christine Martell — November 29, 2007 @ 3:14 pm
As with Christine, for the past 7 years, my primary volunteer services has been with ASTD - Cascadia. I am also a volunteer leader for cub scouts. Both activities have made me a better training professional and father.
Comment by Theme Grenz — November 29, 2007 @ 8:47 pm
I do volunteer work primarily through my church, Augustana Lutheran. Through the years this has taken many directions but the most fullfilling was chairing our social ministry committee. Meeting with outside groups and offering our church and facilities as a partner for groups. I see the results of that work growing annually. I have also coached rowing teams in the past and have enjoyed that.
Comment by Lynn Gray — November 30, 2007 @ 8:50 am
I volunteer for my professional organization. Also for Dove-Lewis emergency ICU for animals and for the Or. Humane Society. I was volunteering for a mens shelter as a computer resource but stopped due to time restraints. Have also volunteered at the Oregon Jewish Museum doing transcription of interviews for archives.
I wish I had more time to do more.
Comment by Nancy Seebert — November 30, 2007 @ 5:07 pm
I volunteer with the Women Entrepreneurs of Oregon and have done so for the last 6 years. I’ve gained leadership skills, learned how to work with volunteers, built lasting friendships, and gained new business due to the relationships. I’ve gained access to other national organizations and exposure in many venues due to my affiliation as a director and advocate for entrepreneurs.
I also volunteer through my church, Village Baptist. I work in women’s ministries coordinating studies, training leaders, and mentoring. I’ve improved my communication and delegation. I love the opportunity to give back to an organizations that I believe in.
Volunteering builds relationships in a way that just joining a group can’t.
Comment by Kathie Nelson — November 30, 2007 @ 6:19 pm
I volunteer with the ASTD Cascadia chapter. This is my third year on the Board of Directors and I feel so lucky to work with such gifted people. I also volunteer with The Wedge–an annual Portland festival of Cheese! It is great fun and I am treated with meeting people who make cheese. Very cool!
Comment by Kelly Orehovec — December 5, 2007 @ 11:10 am